Society

Drunk driving to become independent charge

By Zheng Jinran (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2010-08-17 16:56

Driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) is likely to be listed as an independent charge in the eighth amendment of Criminal Law of People's Republic of China, Chongqing Morning Post reported on Tuesday.

The amendment draft will be deliberated at the 16th Session of the Standing Committee of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) from Aug 23 to 28 in Beijing.

Reckless driving is a violation of public security, including DUI and racing vehicles in urban public roads at a speed that exceeds the safety limit.

Car accidents caused by drunk driving reached 3,206, causing 1,302 deaths nationally between January and August 2009, according to statistics released by the Supreme People's Court. "This charge with heavy penalty will effectively prevent such violations," said Liu Mingxiang, assistant dean of Law School of Renmin University of China.

The amendment will be submitted to the standing committee of the NPC by the end of August. "If no huge disagreement is proposed, it will be passed in October this year," said an official on the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC standing committee.

The eighth amendment draft of Criminal Law also includes charges against employers defaulting payment on purpose.